Try approving of yourself and see what happens...​(PART Four of a 5 Part series)

What is Self-Compassion?Self-compassion is extending compassion to one's self, in instances of failure or general suffering. Self-compassion recognize that personal failure is part of life, and entails being warm towards oneself when encountering personal shortcomings, rather than hurting oneself with self-criticism.

Do not confuse Self-compassion with self-pity, which is a state of mind where a person believes to be a victim of a situation, lacking the confidence and competence to cope.

Self-compassion can be learned. It is a positive life skill that helps us to become less self-critical, achieving more out of living, and giving back more. Here are a few Strategies for Self-Compassion. It might seem unnatural at first to be self- compassionate but will become easier with time. These following strategies may get you started:

How would you treat someone else if something bad happened to them? What would you say and how would you treat them? Do the same to yourself.

Pay particular attention to your thoughts and the words you use to speak to yourself. Would you say these words to someone you care about?

Acknowledge your emotions and let them go. No one is perfect, nor do You need to be. When you experience stress, anger, and fear, allow yourself to feel whatever you need to feel and then let it go.

Keep a caring eye on your most important needs, and give yourself the permission to do more of what brings you energy, and less of what drains you.

“If you do not respect your own wishes, no one else will. You will simply attract people who disrespect you as much as you do.”― Vironika Tugaleva

Stay positive trough self-talk and compliments to yourself.

Your thoughts influence the way you approach life.Many people think you are not realistic if you think positively. They have been so in the groove of negative thinking that they battle to see the good in life. If you think positively, you make a conscious choice to focus on what really matters. Positive thinking will make you grateful, and you will always see the good in any situation. It will help you to embrace your past rather than to blame it, and look forward to the future, and not against it.

"All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15) If you have a negative view on life, you will experience every day as "bad" or somber. But, if you focus on positive things, you will "have a merry heart" and be full of joy. The choice is yours.

Complimenting yourself, speaking positive to yourself and surrounding yourself with positive people; these are all ways you can build towards self-love. The more you take in positive stuff, the less you will be dragged down.